Libraries Working Towards Social Justice

The Nevins Library is proud to partner with seven local libraries to present a variety of virtual programs addressing topics related to social justice issues.

These thought-provoking lectures and discussions will help Merrimack Valley residents to think about and cordially address current events and troubling issues in today’s society. Patrons are welcome to sign up for any of these programs, no matter which community you live in (or if you live in none of the communities), anyone and everyone is welcome (you can sign up through the links on this page, or go to the individual libaries’ pages to sign up).

Partner Libraries: Haverhill Public Library, Lawrence Public Library, Memorial Hall Library, Stevens Memorial Library, Burlington Public Library, Tewksbury Public Library, and Wilmington Memorial Library.

Upcoming events at other libraries:

A Virtual Discussion of Carol Anderson’s ONE PERSON, NO VOTE – Andover Memorial Hall Library, 10/8 at 7pm

Professor Elizabeth Herbin-Triant of University of Massachusetts, Lowell will discuss Carol Anderson’s book, One Person No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying Our Democracy. Find it in our catalog Elizabeth Herbin-Triantor on OverDrive. All are welcome, even if you’ve not read the book.

Health over Tobacco Industry Profits, Tewksbury Library, 10/13 at 5:30pm

For decades, the tobacco and vaping industries have strategically and successfully targeted Black, LatinX, and LGBTQ+ communities with their addictive products. Of these unjust tactics, the racial targeting of the Black community with menthol cigarettes has had the most negative impact. Fast forward to 2015 and current day, and the tobacco and vaping industry came out with electronic cigarettes to addict a new generation on nicotine with similar marketing tactics. This presentation will explore the history of injustice within the tobacco and vaping industries, and the action steps Massachusetts has taken to prioritize community health over tobacco and vaping industry profits.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel, Part 2, Wilmington Library, 10/19 at 7pm

Jennifer Bryson, BU Education faculty member, Melanie Patterson, Boutwell & Shawsheen Schools Media Specialist, and Brittany Tuttle, the WML’s Teen Librarian, will lead this presentation on rethinking the media our families consume through an antiracist lens, encouraging participants to:

• Rethink the media our families consume, including books, movies, and TV shows.
• Discuss how our identities shape our responses to equity in our community.
• Investigate the concept of mirrors and windows in our children’s texts/media.
• Review and discuss problematic media.
• Discuss race and representation with your children.
• You will use what you learned here to continue the antiracist work we’ve started.

Voter Suppression with Dave Daley Virtual Event, Burlington Library, 10/22 at 7pm

Voter suppression did not end with Jim Crow. New barriers to the ballot box have been erected and these new barriers disproportionately affect racial minorities. Dave Daley, of FairVote and author of Unrigged, will speak about the tactics used to limit the ability of voters to exercise their right to vote.

Environmental Racism in Massachusetts, Wilmington Library, 10/22 at 7pm

Massachusetts has a reputation for progressive environmental policies, but these policies do not benefit all communities equally. Dr. Daniel Faber will discuss the disproportionate impact of environmental burdens such as chemical pollution and hazardous waste sites on communities of color in the state.

AntiRacism Virtual Book Group: Me and White Supremacy, Wilmington Library, 10/26 at 7pm

Based on the viral Instagram challenge that captivated participants worldwide, Me and White Supremacy takes readers on a 28-day journey of how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too.

Read, or even start to read, the book and then join us to talk about the book.

Antiracism Doc Talk – White Like Me, Wilmington Library, 10/30 at 1pm

First, watch this documentary on Kanopy (for Nevins Library patrons we can help you get a BPL eCard to use their Kanopy subscription).

It is a stunning reassessment of the American ideal of meritocracy and claims that we’ve entered a post-racial society, Wise offers a fascinating look back at the race-based white entitlement programs that built the American middle class, and argues that our failure as a society to come to terms with this legacy of white privilege continues to perpetuate racial inequality and race-driven political resentments today.